Sports training kit and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a training apparatus that includes a weighting device combined with a sport stick, such as a lacrosse or hockey stick, designed to secure the weighting device and other apparatus for performing sports-specific weight resistance and plyometric training.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a device for resistance training In particular, the present invention is a training apparatus that includes a weighting device combined with a sport stick, such as a lacrosse or hockey stick, designed to secure the weighting device and other apparatus for performing sports-specific weight resistance and plyometric training

Athletes who perform in certain sports that require the use of sticks, such as hockey or lacrosse, that require bursts of energy and rapid response times, benefit from a exercise training that results in improved functioning of the nervous system. Plyometrics is such a training method that results in increased speed or force of muscle contractions, useful for fast, powerful movements. Typical plyometric training involves producing a first, rapid muscle lengthening movement, followed by a short rest period, then producing a second, muscle shortening movement.

Training typically involves the use of free weights, or specially-designed weight machines. Commercially available weight machines of the type useful for plyometric training are large, expensive, and have a large footprint, making them unportable. Athletes are required to go to a specific location to have access to such machines. It also creates a psychological distance between the work-out equipment and the sports equipment. Ideal athlete training includes both an enhanced psychological connection with the sport and sport equipment, as well as physical improvement.

An athlete who uses a standard, commercially-available hockey or lacrosse stick, generally cannot use that stick to perform plyometric training or resistance training, because it is necessary to include weights in performing the muscle shortening movement in particular. The shape of sports sticks varies, and there is no convenient, available, or safe method for adding weight to such sticks.

In addition to the physical and skill benefits of such an apparatus, training with such an apparatus also delivers psychological benefits by bringing the athletes' motivation, commitment, and connection to the sport into the resistance training program. This psychological component cannot be duplicated through the use of conventional training equipment, such as free weights or traditional resistance training. There is a mindful connection to the sport through the use of equipment specific to that sport, because it enables athletes to train using the tools of their game. Such a connection also would allow athletes in rehabilitation facilities to benefit from such an apparatus.

Thus, there remains a need for the lacrosse and hockey athlete, among others, to perform sports-specific resistance exercises with equipment used in the respective sports. There is a need for equipment that makes it possible for the athlete to perform the following resistance exercises: weighted movements; plyometrics; and rubber tubing resistance movements using the equipment specific to their sport.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a sports training kit, for use in particular by athletes in training, or in physical therapy following injury in a sport that requires use of some sort of sport stick, such as hockey, lacrosse, and others. The inventive kit includes a sport instrument, having an elongated handle extending a distance L from a proximal end to an end effector at a distal end, and a weight support assembly having a tubular sleeve extending about a central axis from a first end to a second end, which tubular sleeve includes an annular flange, and an locking pin. The elongated handle includes a grip portion extending a predetermined distance L2 from the proximal end, and which is substantially uniform in cross-section.

The grip portion of the handle includes a plurality of spaced apart cross-holes extending through the handle transverse to the handle axis. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the grip portion is the distance from the proximal end of the handle to the distal-most handle cross-hole. The end effector is, for example, the blade of a hockey stick or the basket of a lacrosse stick.

The tubular sleeve of the weight support assembly extends about a central axis from a first end to a second end. It has a cylindrical out surface, with a diameter D, that extends about the central axis. The sleeve further includes a central void region, defined by an inner surface extending about the central axis, having a cross-section adapted to overfit the cross-section of the grip portion. The sleeve further includes an annular flange positioned near the first end of the sleeve, that extends radially from the outer sleeve surface. A cross-hole extends through the sleeve near the second end and along a pin axis intersecting the central axis. This cross-hole is of sufficient diameter such that when this sleeve cross-hole is aligned with a cross-hole on the instrument handle, it forms a single hole through which an elongated pin may be passed to secure the sleeve onto the handle. The elongated pin has a length greater than D and a cross-section adapted to fit within the sleeve cross-hole and the handle cross-hole.

In an embodiment of the invention, the handle cross-holes are uniformly spaced. The kit may further include at least one annular weight, each of the annular weights having a circular central void region with a diameter greater than D and adapted to overfit the outer surface of the tubular sleeve. In alternative embodiments, the handle cross-section is rectangular, octangular, round, oval, or other geometric shapes.

The tubular sleeve inner surface may include a plurality of flexible fins extending inward from the inner surface. The kit may further comprise a clamp adapted to be removably affixed to the outer surface of the tubular sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of this disclosure, including the various features thereof, may be more fully understood from the following description, when read together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the kit of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a front plan view of a clamp of the kit of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a detail of the spring metal loop of the clamp of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates an alternative clamp for use with the kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side plan view of a hockey stick kit of the present invention, having the flange portion of the tubular sleeve extending toward the proximal, curved end of the hockey stick.

FIG. 2B is a side plan view of a hockey stick kit of the present invention, having the flange portion of the tubular sleeve extending toward the distal, handle end of the hockey stick, and further having Olympic-style weight plates.

FIG. 2C is a side plan view of an embodiment of a lacrosse stick kit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the tubular sleeve of the invention.

FIG. 4A is an end view of the tubular sleeve of a hockey stick embodiment of the invention, showing the flexible friction fins.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the tubular sleeve of a lacrosse stick embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a side plan view of a lockpin of the inventive kit, in a first, open position.

FIG. 5B is a side plan view of a lockpin of the inventive kit, in a second, closed position.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an eye-hook in an embodiment of the inventive kit.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of an embodiment of the inventive kit.

FIG. 7B is a side plan view of the kit of FIG. 7A in assembled form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a sports training kit, having a specially-designed sports instrument, such as a stick used in stick-related sports, and a weight support assembly. The training kit of the present invention is designed to provide training of the type necessary for strength, speed, and agility, such as plyometric, resistance, and strength training.

An embodiment of the inventive training kit 100 is shows in FIG. 1. In that illustrated embodiment, the kit 100 includes a sports instrument 101, shown as a stick instrument having an elongated handle 102 extending a length L along a handle axis HA from a proximal end to an end effector 103 at its distal end. The end effector 103 can be, for example, a blade where the sports instrument 101 is a hockey stick, or can be a “basket” where the sports instrument 101 is a lacrosse stick. In FIG. 1, the end effector is illustrated schematically by block 103. The proximal end includes a grip portion 120 that extends along handle axis HA from the proximal end some predetermined distance D. The grip portion 120 has a substantially uniform cross-section.

The kit 100 has a tubular sleeve 104 extending along sleeve axis SA that is slidably fit over the handle 102. With the sleeve 104 in place over handle 102, the sleeve axis SA is substantially coaxial with handle axis HA. The tubular sleeve 104 has a cylindrical outer surface with diameter D and includes a sleeve cross-hole 108 extending through the sleeve along a pin axis PA transverse to sleeve axis SA.

The sleeve 104 includes an annular flange 106 extending radially outward with respect to sleeve axis SA. The flange 106 may be formed integral with the tubular sleeve 104, or may be affixed about the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular sleeve 104 by means of mechanical, heat, UV, chemical or other welding. The flange 106 may be made from any metal, rigid plastic, or other materials having predetermined weight and strength, as described in further detail below.

The handle 102 includes one or more instrument cross-holes 110 bored through the handle 102 in the grip portion 120. The cross-holes may be uniformly spaced or positioned to optimize the position of the weight assembly for specific training needs. The spacing between cross-holes 110 must be sufficient to maintain the uncompromised structural integrity of the handle 102. The cross-holes 110 alternatively may be positioned along the same cross-hole axis CHA relative to other cross-holes 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be along different cross-hole axes relative to other instrument cross-holes 110. The bore size of these cross-holes 110 must be of sufficient diameter to accommodate a locking pin 112 without compromising the structural strength of the handle 102.

The sleeve cross-hole 108 preferably is positioned at the end of the sleeve opposite the flange 106. This preferred position leaves room for multiple weights to be used at one time (i.e., weight plates may be stacked). Alternatively, a small sleeve section may be extended from the other side of the flange, having a sleeve cross-hole, to move the weights to the opposite side of the sleeve. The bore size of the sleeve cross-hole 108 must be at least as great as the diameter of the instrument cross-holes 110 to enable proper alignment of the sleeve cross-hole 108 with each of the instrument cross-holes 110 to allow a user to move the sleeve 104 along the handle 102 to position the sleeve 104 in the desired position for training In an alternate embodiment, the sleeve 104 may include more than one sleeve cross-hole 108 to provide even greater selections for placement of the sleeve 104 on the handle 102 or to accommodate more than one locking pin 112. If multiple sleeve cross-holes 108 are included, they must be sufficiently spaced to maintain the structural integrity of the sleeve element 104.

When assembled, as shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve cross-hole 108 aligns with one of the set of instrument cross-holes 110. The elongated portion of a locking pin 112 then is positioned through the aligned cross-holes 108 and 110 to secure the sleeve 104 at a desired position along on the handle 102. In the illustrated embodiment of the kit 100, a set of one or more weights 114 may further be positioned along the sleeve 104, between the annular flange 106 and the locking pin 112. A clamp 115 is disposed on the outer cylindrical surface of sleeve 104 in a position to secure the weights 114 against the flange 106.

An exemplary clamp 115 is illustrated in FIG. 1A. The illustrated clamp 115 is manufactured from a metal or a durable hard plastic material, and includes two complementary handle portions 150 a and 150 b, each having an upper concave portion 152 a, 152 b and a lower straight portion 154 a, 154 b. At least a portion of each upper concave portions 152 a, 152 b includes a rubber lining 156. When assembled, the upper concave portions 152 a, 152 b form a central void having a diameter D2 that is approximately equal to the diameter D of the tubular sleeve 104. The handle portions 150 a, 150 b are pivotally joined about pivot pin 158. A spring metal loop 160, shown in detail in FIG. 1B, is positioned between the interior surfaces of the lower straight portions 154 a, 154 b, held in place by pivot pin 158. As pressure is applied by a user gripping the lower straight portions 154 a, 154 b, it applies opposing pressure to the spring metal loop 160, causing the upper concave portions 152 a, 152 b to move away from each other. In this manner, the clamp 115 may be positioned about the tubular sleeve 104, between the sleeve cross-hole 108 and any weights 114 that may be included in the kit.

In the alternative, clamp 115 is exemplified by spring clamp 115 illustrated in FIG. 1B. The illustrated clamp 115 is made of a spring metal loop LO. By biasing the distal ends of the loop toward each other, the diameter of the loop increases to allow fitment over the cylindrical surface of sleeve 104, and upon release, resilient lead decreases to clamp to the cylindrical surface. In other embodiments, at different clamps may be used.

FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of the inventive kit 100. As shown, the kit comprises a hockey stick shaped sports instrument 101. As shown, the hockey stick instrument 101 includes a handle 102 with an end effector 103 being a blade, at its distal end. Several cross-holes 110 extend along the length of the handle 102, with the aligned cross-holes 108 and 110 positioned close to the distal end of the handle. The flange 106 and clamp 115 support weights 114 providing the desired weighted effect when the kit 100 is swung in the style of a hockey player. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the weights are near the end effector 103 As the kit 100 is swung through the typical range of motion for a hockey player, the user may experience different forms of training, depending on the nature of the specific use of the kit.

FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the inventive kit 100, also showing the hockey stick shaped sports instrument 101. In this illustrated embodiment, the handle 102 of the instrument includes a series of cross-holes 110, however in the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the tubular sleeve 104 is positioned on the handle 102 such that the sleeve cross-hole 108 is aligned with an handle cross-hole 108 near the proximal end P of the handle, away from the end effector 103. In the illustrated embodiment, flange 106 is positioned toward the distal end of the handle and supports one or more weights 114, such as Olympic weights, that are slidingly positioned over the tubular sleeve 104, held against the flange 106 clamp 115. The locking pin 112 holds the tubular sleeve 104 in position. The position of the flange 106 is determined by the hand position (i.e., where the user grips the stick), and the desired direction of resistance. The flange 106 preferably is positioned to optimize resisted movement and safety. The flange 106 also may be positioned to optimize the locations of weighted resistance and to reduce the number of required cross-holes.

FIG. 2C shows an alternative embodiment of the inventive kit 100. In this embodiment, the sport instrument 101 is configured in the shape of a lacrosse stick with an octagonal cross-section handle 102 and a lacrosse “basket” end effector 103. In this illustrated kit 100, the weights assembly is positioned near the end effector 103, with the flange 106 being closest to end effector 103, with the aligned cross-holes 108 and 110 secured by the locking pin 112 near the end effector 103. Clamp 115 holes the weights 114 against flange 106. The illustrated embodiment includes a set of Olympic weights 114, but alternative embodiments may include just a weighted annular flange 106 without weights.

In each embodiment, the inclusion of a set of one or more cross-holes 108 in the handle 102 enables the tubular sleeve 104 to be fixedly positioned along the length of the handle, to be secured closer to either the grip (proximal end P) or the end effector 103, as desired. By selectively configuring the location of the tubular sleeve 104 along the handle 102, a user may modify and effect the nature and type of training for which the kit 100 is used.

Although the present illustrations only show a hockey stick and a lacrosse stick configuration for the sports instrument 102 element of the inventive kit, other sticks and configurations may be used in the kit as necessary for other desired sports training, such as baseball bats, tennis racquets, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a side plan view of the tubular sleeve 104 in combination with the annular flange 106 of the inventive kit. The sleeve cross-hole 108 is positioned toward the opposite end of the sleeve 104 from the flange 106. In alternative embodiments, the cross-hole 108 may be otherwise positioned along the length of the sleeve 104 to optimize leverage and strength when the kit includes Olympic or other such weight elements. The tubular sleeve 104 may be manufactured from any structurally strong material, such as solid plastic, metal, fiberglass, graphite, and others generally available. The tubular sleeve 104 may be pressure molded or form molded to achieve the desired diameter and internal shape.

In an illustrative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, as designed for use with a 7 inch hockey stick, the tubular sleeve 104 has a length of 4.75 inches and a diameter of 1.875 inches. The illustrated flange 106 is 0.25 inches thick, with a diameter of 3.875 inches. The tubular sleeve cross-hole 108 is positioned 0.5 inches from the end of the sleeve. While this is an illustrated embodiment, other dimensions and distance ratios may be used depending on the length of the sports instrument, manufacturing materials, the nature of the training for which the kit will be used, and the like.

As shown in cross-section in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the inner bore of the sleeve 102 may include one or more resilient fins 130 that extend inwardly from the interior surface of the bore of the sleeve and adapted to resiliently press against the handle 102 when positioned within the sleeve 104. FIG. 4A shows a handle of a (rectangular) hockey stick shaped sports instrument 101, with the fins 130 resiliently pressing against the surface of that substantially rectangular-shaped handle. FIG. 4B shows a handle of a lacrosse stick shaped sports instrument 101, with the fins 130 similarly resiliently pressing against the surface of that substantially octagonal cross-section handle 102. Material used to manufacture the sleeve 104 must have sufficient flexibility of the fins 130 to enable the instrument 101 to be slidably inserted into the tubular sleeve 104, and yet retain sufficient rigidity to hold the sleeve securely on the instrument. Examples of such materials include solid plastic, metal, fiberglass, graphite, and others generally available.

The illustrated inventive kit 100 further includes a locking pin 112 of the type commonly known and generally commercially available. The preferred locking pin 112 of the inventive kit 100, such as that shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, includes a pin 134 of rigid material having a diameter no greater than the diameter of the cross-holes 108 and 110, such that the pin 134 can pass through holes 108 and an aligned one of holes 110. A first end of an encircling portion 132 is pivotally coupled to one end of pin 134. A second end of portion 132 is adapted to be releasably captured by the other end of pin 134. The encircling portion 132 is pivotally attached to one end of the pin 134, such that it can swing open to encircle an item, as shown in FIG. 5A, which in this case is the tubular sleeve 104 positioned about the handle 102, then move back to a closed position to capture pin 134 and lock sleeve 104 into place along handle 102, as shown in FIG. 5B. Locking pins are manufactured from generally commercially available strong, rigid materials, such as metal or cured plastics.

The kit 100 of the present invention may also include one or more eye-hooks 140, such as the type shown in FIG. 6. The eye-hook 140 may be securely attached along the length and to the handle 102 (preferably near the distal end), or directly to the tubular sleeve 104. The eye-hook may be included to enable a user to add resistance training, by use of a length of rubber or other elasticized material which can be coupled at one end to the eye hook and add its other end, to an external anchor point.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate assembly of the inventive kit 100. As shown, the sports instrument handle 102 includes a plurality of cross-holes 110. The tubular sleeve 104, having an attached annular flange 106, is slidably positioned on the handle 102. The resilient, inwardly extending fins (not shown) allow the sleeve 104 to move onto the instrument 102, but provide resistance to removal once the sleeve is in position. In some embodiments, weights 114 are then added onto the sleeve 104, followed by clamp 115. The cross-holes 108 and 110 are aligned, and the locking pin 112 is positioned through the aligned cross-holes to secure the entire kit 100.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A sports training kit, comprising: A. a sports instrument including: i. an elongated handle extending a distance L from a proximal end to a distal end thereof along a handle axis, wherein said handle has a substantially uniform cross-section grip portion extending from said proximal end, and wherein said grip portion includes a plurality of spaced apart cross holes extending through said grip portion transverse to said handle axis, and ii. an end effector extending from said distal end, B. a weight support assembly including: i. a tubular sleeve extending about a central axis from a first end to a second end and having: a. a cylindrical outer surface having a diameter D and extending about said central axis, b. a central void region defined by an inner surface extending about said central axis, wherein said central void region has a cross-section adapted to overfit said cross-section of said grip portion, c. an annular flange near said first end of said sleeve, and extending from said outer surface radially with respect to said sleeve axis, d. a cross-hole extending through said sleeve near said second end and along a pin axis intersecting said central axis, and ii. an elongated pin having a length greater than D and having a cross-section adapted to fit within said cross hole in the said sleeve and said cross holes in said handle.
 2. A sports training kit according to claim 1 wherein said cross-holes in said handle are uniformly spaced.
 3. A sports training kit according to claim 1 further comprising at least one annular weight, each of said annular weights having a circular central void region having a diameter greater than D and adapted to overfit said outer surface of said sleeve.
 4. A sports training kit according to claim 1 wherein said cross-section of said handle is rectangular.
 5. A sports training kit according to claim 4 wherein said inner surface includes a plurality of flexible fins extending inward from said inner surface.
 6. A sports training kit according to claim 4 wherein said handle and said end effector have the form of a hockey stick.
 7. A sports training kit according to claim 1 wherein said cross-section of said handle is octangular.
 8. A sports training kit according to claim 7 wherein said inner surface includes a plurality of flexible fins extending inward from said inner surface.
 9. A sports training kit according to claim 7 wherein said handle and said end effector have the form of a lacrosse stick.
 10. A sports training kit according to claim 1 further comprising a clamp adapted to be removably affixed to said outer surface of said tubular sleeve. 